Practicing machine for adjusters



June 30, 1936. c. A. UPsoN PRAQTYICINGAMACH'INE FOR ADJUSTERS Filed Feb. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l v J .R. Y Y Q U, 1936. 4 Q UPSON 2,045,812

PRACTICING MACHINE FOR ADJUSTERS Fild Feb. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR.I W%

A rroRzvam',

Patented June 30, 1936 T OF Fl CE -My machine relates to anewand useful machine or instrument for-use bylchiropracticstu 2 4. To provide such lanlinstrument lin "which thrust, torque .and recoil movements .may be practiced in rapid succession.

I accomplish these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanying, drawings, in which,

25 '.Figure 1 is an end elevationof my-v apparatus;

Figure 2 isa vertical section through .the middle of the apparatus as shown in'iFigure'l;

Figure '3 .is a plan view looking upwardly at the bottom of the apparatus;.and l 30 gure l is a side elevation of the groovedguide plates as they would appear if straightened out. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

My apparatus comprises .a base,'9, which is preferably composed of a metalstamping, but maybe cast or otherwise formed of any desired material. The base'in general is composed of a 'flat platewitnflanges extending downwardly therefrom and triangular reenforcing plates, 9a, 40 united to the-loweredges of'the fianges at the corners.

A pair of-matched guide plates, l4, whichtogether form a cylinder, are mounted upon the base, '9, and-have lock pins, I lagunited to or 45 formed integral with-their 1 lower ends. 7 These lock-pins, Ma, are seated in suitable openings or bores, 9c,'formed in the top of the base and project through the 'base. Eaohlock pin is provided with a slot on its inner side just-below 50 the top"plate-iof theibase which-slots are-adapted to receive keysorlugs, IOc, formed upon the periphery of a gkeyplate jor locking :plate, 19, :zand'project laterally therefrom.

Aieolumn, :l, is seated; in a. suitable central 5 :opening in the top sioflithe base, :9, and: secured thereto by lock nuts,-8-and 8a, respectively above and below the top plate of the base. This column,

E, extends vertically upwardly approximately the height of the guide plates, l4, and a cap, .6, is

threaded upon the upper end thereof. 5 Within the column, 1,,a tube, 5, is mounted V which extends below the column, I, and forms ,a support for the locking plate, H), which is formed with a central opening through whichthe tube, 5, extends.

A nut, 12, is unitedlto the lowerend of the tube 5,.and may be secured'thereto bya pin, I3. A spiral spring, H, is .mounted encirclingth-e 7 lower end of the tube, 5, between thenut, l2, and the locking plate, I'll and acts to.,keep.the looking plate, l9, upwardin close contact with the top of the base, 9. The center of the locking plate, Ill, ,isformed with a central depression which allowsit to clearthe locking nut, 8a.

A rod, 2, is slidingly mounted in the tube,'5, and has a bushing, '4, united to its lower end to fit closely the inside of the tube,25. The pinfls, acts as a stop to limit the downward movement of the rod, 2, and thev cap, 6, acts asja detent to limit the upward movement thereof.

A spiral spring, .3, is mounted surrounding th rod, "2, with its lower end resting upon and united to the top plate of the base, 9, and its upper end united to a right-angle arm,,l5a, one end of which is united .to thetopofthe rod 2, and the opposite end of which carriesa plunger, l5, secured thereto by a set screw, l5b.

The spring, 3, is preferablylunited to the base plate, 9, and to the arm, E511, byspot-welding.

A head or scoop,'l,, preferablyformed of sheet metal, is united to the top'of the rod, 2, which has a head, 211, formed thereon. to secure the head,

i, to it. This head or scoop maybe of any desiredsize and conformation, but as the portion of .,the hand actually utilized to eifectuate a 40 chiropractic adjustment is usually that portion of the heel of thepalm adjacent the pisiform bone, I prefer to form the scoop or head, l,,of a

size corresponding to thatportion of the palm .of the operator. The scoop will therefore nor- "may be varied to meet the requirements of, different operators.

The curve of the head, |,-conforming to the curves of the contacting portion of the palm of the.hand,..gives:.the hand a-firm grip thereon and facilitates the torque movements hereinafter described.

The grooves shown in Figures 1 and 4 are to be regarded as illustrative of the direction and timing (as explained below in clause beginning That is) of the vertical and torque movements of the operators hand rather than as critical examples or as limitations of the scope of the apparatus. That is, the torque movement preferably comes approximately at the end of the downward movement. A variety of grooves will be provided for each machine and a plurality of plates, I4, having different forms of grooves, may be provided with each machine if. desired. It should be noted that the grooves indicate not only vertical movement, but also the torque or rotational movement and as the vertical and torque movements utilized in actual practice vary greatly, a corresponding variance may be provided in the different grooves of each series, as well as in the different series of grooves for the same or different machines. 7

The guide plates, M, are provided with substantially U-shaped grooves, Mb and Mc, of sufficient width and depth to receive and guide the plunger I5. The distance between the vertical branches of the U-shaped grooves may be varied to permit agreater or less lateral travel of the plunger and the slope of the bottom portion of the grooves may be varied in direction as well as angle so as to permit practicing the application of torque while the hand is still traveling downward or to permit the application of the torque after the downward travel has been completed upon the return movement. It may likewise be varied to permit the application of torque either to the right or left as desired.

This arrangement will permit and assist the application of torque at the desired point and in the desired direction and for the desired distance and the spacing of the U-shaped grooves will afford limits tothe torque movement beyond which it cannot pass.

For convenience, I refer to the downward movement of. the rod, 2, as the thrust and to the upward movement of the rod, 2, as the recoil and to the ro-tative movement of the rod, 2, as the torque.

The locking plate, It), is provided with an arm, ISa, which extends laterally therefrom and at the outer end of the arm, Illa, the arm is turned upwardly at IIlb and extends upwardly through the arcuate slot, 9b, formed in the top plate of the base, 9, which arcuate slot is constructed on a radius from the center of the column, I.

The arm, Ina, is so positioned that when swung to the right as shown in Figure 3, the keys or lugs, Iflc, will enter the slots, Md, and lock the pins, I do, rigidly to the top of the base, 9, thus securing the semi-circular. plates, M, in position upon the top of the base. When it is desired to change the plates, M, the locking plate, I0, is rotated to the left as shown in Figure 3 and the keys or lugs, IOc, are disengaged from the pins, Ma, thus unlocking the semi-circular plates, I4, and permitting them to be lifted off the base, 9. The bores, 90, are all of the same size and uniformly spaced so that the plates, M, may be moved to bring any particular U-shaped groove, Me or Md, into register with the pin, I5.

In the construction of my apparatus, a plurality of. springs, 3, may be furnished of different degrees of compressibility so that they can be changed to greater or less resistance as es ed- In the use of my apparatus, it is assembled with the spring, 3, of the desired resistance and the guide plates, I4 and Mb are adjusted so as to bring the particularly desired groove, Mb or Me, in register with the plunger, I5.

The hand of the operator is then placed lightly upon the head, I, where it may be suddenly pressed downward for the desired distance, carrying the plunger, I5, to the bottom of the adjacent groove, Mb or Me, as the case may be. At the bottom of the stroke or thrust, the torque or twisting movement of the hand is applied to the right or left as the case may be, sufiiciently to carry the plunger to the opposite vertical branch of the groove. The downward pressure upon the head, I, is then suddenly released and the recoil of the spring, 3, carries the head, I, back to its original position. It is well known that the natural elasticity of the back when supported by tables such as the B. J. Palmer Hi-lo, allows downward movements in the lumbar region of six inches or more and the elasticity of the tissues allows a very considerable torque or rotation of the operators hands without excessive rotation of the vertebra concerned. The apparatus disclosed assists the pupil to learn these motions.

It is obvious that the pattern of the grooves, Mb and I40, may be varied to provide for a wide variation in thrust and torque, both as to length and direction of travel.

My apparatus will thus enable the student to practice the entire range of manual movements utilized in chiropractic adjustments of the vertebraa and will permit the user to train himself substituted for various parts of my apparatus and I do not limit my claims to the precise structures shown in the drawings.

It is obvious that the top of the spring, 3, may be united either to the arm, I5a, or to the scoop or head, I, or directly to the rod, 2, and the lower end of the spring, 3, may be united either directly to the base, 9, or intermediately by being united to the nut, 8, or the column, I, and such attachment may be made by spot-welding and/or other suitable means.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a vertical column erected thereon, a thrust rod slidingly mounted within the column, a head united to the top of the rod, an angular arm rigidly united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced from the rod, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical circular plates surrounding the rod and spaced therefrom having substantially U-shaped grooves formed in their outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, and

resilient means to resist the downward and rotative travel of the rod and to return it to its normal position at the end of the thrust and torque strokes thereof.

2. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a verticalcolumn erected thereon, a thrust rod'slidingly mounted within the column, a head united to the top of the rod, an arm rigidly united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced position 3 at; the end. :of ":the: thrust and torquestrokesrthereof. v

113.; An apparatus for practicing -zchiropractic ;-adjustingrmovements. comprising ga base,-.aver- .-ti,cal',-col umn\.:erectedithereon,' a thrust rod slidvingly; mounted within the. column; a palm-shaped :head united-to thetop :ofrthe" rod,-:-.a n arm; rigidly united to the rod and having a downwardcex- :tension spaced 1; from the 'rod, a plunger united ;.to-,;the "downward extension, plates surrounding the;- rod=anduniformly spaced therefrom; having grooves f ormedin. ;theiraouter: .faces said'ggrooves Y being; adapted- -toz receive and guide the- "plunger through downward and transverse travel 7. successively,. and resilientmeans to resist the downwardi andrrotative travel of the rod and to retum Hit to:,itsnormalpositiomat' the-. en'd of the. thrust ;.an -d:-.-torque; strokes; thereof ;4. -An apparatus .-for practicing chiropractic adjusting, movementscornprising a base, a- -veritiealr column. erected thereon, a' thrust rod slidz-ingly,.-mountedwwithinthe column, a palm-shaped .head uni-ted tothe top of the rod, .an :angular -arm rigidly-unitedtothe rod and havinga down- Ward extension-spaced from .the'rod, a plunger :unitedzto: the downward extension, vertical circu- I ,.-lar plateszsurroundingthe rodwand uniformly spaced" therefrom having. substantially -Ushaped grooves for-med in their outer' faces, said grooves :.being adapted to receive and guide :the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel .-successively, andxresilient means to resist the -..downward -and rotativer travel of the rod--and to return it to its normal position at the end of the thrust and torque. strokes: thereof.

.5. -Anapparatus for practicing chiropractic ad- ;justi-ng movements comprising a. base, a vertical :column erected thereon,: a thrust rod'slidingly amounted within the column, a head united to the top of the ro.d,ian angular armrigidly united to the rr-od and having a downward extension .spaced from theirod, aplungerunited .to the downward extension, vertical circular plates-surrounding the rodv and" spaced therefrom. having substantially U-shapedgroovesformed; in their outerfaces,:-said-,grooves being adapted toreceiverand guide the'plunger through downward, transverse .and upward travel successively: and resilient means connected. to, and adapted to re- :sist the downwardand rotative travel of, the rod and to return; it to -its normal position at the end of the thrust and torquestrokes thereof.

.6. ,A-nrapparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a verticalcolumn erectedthereon, a.- thrust -rodslidingly' mounted within the column; ahead united to the top :ofi the TI'0d, '3,l1' angular arm rigidly :unitedto the rod and have a downward-extenision spaced from the rod a plunger united-to the: downward extension, interchangeable -vertical circular plates; surrounding the rod andispaced therefrom:having-substantially U-shaped-grooves formed in their-outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive :and guide the; plunger through downward, transverse and upward gtravel successively; and resilientgmeans toresist the. down- :mard-and-rotative "tr vel of--..the5:'rod-. and t .1

- turn-it. to:itsznormalzpositicn at: theiend; :of the zzthnust :andi torque;strokesicthereof.

- v7.2 Aniapparatus ion'praoticing chiropractic-ad- :justi-ngomovementsxcomprisingra base, a-vertical columni-erectedithereon, :a thrust r-Qd:,s1idingly mounted withimthemolumn; a head united to the stoprof: the: rod, an arm rigidly .united tothe rod landjzhavingeaa .zdownward "extension" spaced from zit'hesrodf. azphmger unitedto. the .downwardiexten- ;:SiGI1,l interchangeable plates surrounding the rod 3 :iand-.:'.uniformlyr spacedr therefrom having grooves "fOITmG'd'iII'LthCiI'K outer? faces, said: grooves. being ;adapted:to receiva'and'zguide the plunger. through .csdownwardr and transverse travelysuccessively, and

cresilient means tcr'resisti therdownward' and rotait'rveitravel iofzthezrodrandto return it to its normakposition: atrthesen'd :of the thrust and torque ::strokes:thereof.

:8:rzArnapparattis.foitpracticingfchiropractic ad- :justingzzmovements-rfcomprising a? basera vertical column erected thereon,.asthrustrod slidingly cmountedrwithinztheicolumn;a palm-shaped head united to thertopzof the'rod;'an arm rigidly united ctoztherrod :and :having a downward :extension .cspacedfi'from the i'rod,a plunger'united to the .cidownward extension, interchangeable"plates surrounding the:'rod andfuniformly: spacedv thereatfromvihaving grooves? formed. in their outer faces, :asaid :groovessbeings adapted ltoi-receivei' and guide tthe'rplunger through downward and transvere travel. successively;andresilient' means to resist thezdownwardztand rotative travel'. of "the rod and 1toa return" it to its :normal position at. the end' of ttheithrust and torquesstrokesthereof.

1:9. apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising .ai base," a verti- :rcalecolurnn erected thereon, athrustrod; slidingly mounted/within the column, ahead united to the ZtGpTOfithB rod,'an angular-arm rigidlyunited to t-the."rod.aand:having a downward extension spaced 1" fronrthe rod,=aplunger .united to thertdownward extension ,cverticalicircular'platessurrounding the -:rod rand spaced therefrom having substantially .u-isl'iaggiecl groovesformed in one'facethereofysaid grooves-being. adapted *to receive and" guide the a plunger 'ithroughrdownward, transverse and upzwar diitravel successively, and resilient, means to resistthedownvvardv and rotative' travel of the rod anditoareturnit to itsnormal position'at the end .fofztheircidzandtto return it to-itsnormal position rat the rend-rof the ithrustrrand torque strokes thereof.

. 311.sAnezapparatuszfor 'practicing chiropractic 2adjustingwmovementscomprising .a base, asupport erected thereon, "a -manually depressible'means mounted upomthe support, an arm united to said :means lihavingwa' downward -:extens.ion spaced ntherefromsa plunger united ;to the downward -extension; vertical plates surrounding said means -.-.and-- spaced therefrom; having rgrooves formed in acne facesthereof adapteditoaecciveiandguidethe plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, and resilient means united to the depressible means adapted to resist the downward and rotative travel thereof and to return same to its normal position at the end of I the thrust and torque strokes thereof.

'12. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a support erected thereon, a manually depressible means mounted upon the support, an arm united to said means having a downward extension spaced therefrom, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical plates surrounding said means and spaced therefrom having grooves formed in one face thereof adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward and transverse travel successively, and resilient means united to the depressible means adapted to resist the downward and rotative travel thereof and to return same to its normal position at the end of the thrust and torque strokes thereof.

13. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a basefa' sup port erected thereon, a manually depressible means mounted upon the support, an arm united to said means having a downward extension spaced therefrom, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical plates surrounding said means and spaced therefrom having grooves formed in one face thereof adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward and transverse travel successively, and resilient means unitedto the depressible, means adapted to resist the downward travel thereof and to return same to its normal position at the end of the thrust stroke thereof.

LL'An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a support erected thereon, a manually depressible means mounted upon the support, an arm united to said means having a downward extension spaced therefrom, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical plates surrounding said means and spaced therefrom having grooves formed in one face thereof adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, and resilient means connected 'to and interposed between the depressible means and the base adapted to resist the downward and rotative travel of said means and to return same to its normal position at the end of the thrust and torque strokes thereof.

15. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a vertical column erected thereon, a thrust'rod slidingly mounted within the column, a head united to the top of the rod, an angular arm rigidly united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced from the rod, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical circular plates surrounding the rod and spaced therefrom having substantially U-shaped grooves formed in their outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, and resilient means connected to and interposed between the rod and the base adapted to resist the downward and rotative travel thereof and to return same to its normal position at the end of the thrrwt and torque strokes thereof.

16. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base having a top plate with downwardly extending supports, a vertical column erected thereon, a thrust rod slidingly mounted within the 'column, a head united to the top of the rod, an angular arm united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced from the rod, a plunger united to the downward extension, interchangeable guideplates surrounding the rod and spaced therefrom having substantially U-shaped grooves formed in their outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, pins formed integral with the bottoms of the guideplates, bores formed in the top plate of the base adapted to receive said pin slots formed in the pins, 2. locking plate revolvably mounted within the base having lugs adapted to enter the slots in the pins and. lock the guide-plates rigidly upon the base.

17. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base having a top plate with downwardly extending supports, a vertical column erected thereon, a thrust rod slidingly mounted within the column, a head united to the top of the rod, an angular arm united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced from the rod, a plunger united to the downward extension, interchangeable guideplates surrounding the rod and spaced therefrom having substantially U-shaped grooves formed in their outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward,

transverse and upward travel successively, pins formed integral with the bottoms of the guideplates, bores formed in the top plate of the base adapted to receive said pin slots formed in the pins, a locking plate revolvably mounted within D the base having lugs adapted to enter the slots in the pins and lock the guide-plates rigidly upon the base, and resilient means connected to and interposed between the rod and the base adapted to resist the downward and rotative travel thereof and to return same to its normal position at the end of the thrust and torque strokes thereof.

18. An apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements comprising a base, a support erected thereon, a manually depressible means mounted upon the support, an arm united to said means having a downward extension spaced therefrom, a plunger united to the downward extension, vertical plates surrounding said means and spaced therefrom having grooves formed in one face thereof adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, pins formed integral with the bottoms of the guideplates, bores formed in the top plate of the base adapted to receive said pin slots formed in the pins, a looking plate revolvably mounted Within the base having lugs adapted to enter the slots in the pins and lock the guide plates rigidly upon the base.

19. In an apparatus for practicing chiropractic adjusting movements, the combination with a base, of a support united thereto, manually depressible means slidingly mounted upon the support, a guide pin rigidly united to said depressible means, guiding means united to the base adapted to receive and guide said guide pin during thrust,

rotative and recoil movements of said depressible atop plate with downwardly extending supports, 75

a vertical column erected thereon, a thrust rod slidingly mounted within the column, a head united to the top of the rod, an angular arm united to the rod and having a downward extension spaced from the rod, a plunger united to the downward extension, interchangeable guideplates surrounding the rod and spaced therefrom having substantially U-shaped grooves formed in their outer faces, said grooves being adapted to receive and guide the plunger through downward, transverse and upward travel successively, means formed integral with the guide plates, bores formed in the top of the base adapted to receive said means, and a locking plate revolvably mounted within the base having lugs adapted to engage said means and lock the guide plates rigidly upon the base.

CARL A. UPSON. 

